WA is OK without Eddie, says Premier Mark McGowan

Eddie McGuire suggests WA should 'pay him' to promote state

VideoThere was outcry after it was confirmed the Collingwood President would be calling the western derby this weekend.Video: Daniel Wilkins

The State Government doesn’t need Eddie McGuire to help sell WA through the western derby, according to Premier Mark McGowan.

McGuire sparked another backlash yesterday ahead of calling his first derby this Saturday, suggesting on radio that he should have been in WA all week leading up to the match, which he is commentating for the first time in his more than two-decade career.

Mr McGowan and Tourism Minister Paul Papalia shrugged off the Collingwood Football Club president’s remarks.

The Premier said the State could “take care of ourselves without advice from Eddie”.

“I am a big fan of Dennis Cometti and Basil (Zempilas) — both great commentators. They do a great job, are both nice guys,” he said.

“Eddie could learn a thing or two from them.”

McGuire believes his presence in WA could help bump up interstate interest for the West Coast-Fremantle clash.

“What Channel 7 and The West Australian should have done is flown me over this week and had me do my radio breakfast show from Perth and should have had me down at Bunker Bay and Margaret River, doing the wine tasting,” he told 6PR.

“Next week, I am going to Queensland, who are paying for Collingwood to go up there and will fill the Gabba.”

Mr Papalia hit back at McGuire, saying a GoFundMe page to get him out of Victoria would fund the proposed trip and even help wipe out WA’s debt.

“I am sure that the rest of the Victorian football public will fund getting rid of Eddie,” he said.

McGuire also suggested the State Government was not doing enough to maximise Optus Stadium’s tourism potential.

“One of the things I have been working closely with the West Coast Eagles and speaking to Fremantle and particularly the WA Government, is bringing people from Victoria every week to that magnificent new stadium,” he said.

“I think it is a good opportunity for West Australia to open their minds to what can be, and the amount of money that can come into West Australia, particularly through football.”

Mr Papalia rejected the comments, saying WA was already the place to be for Australian sport this winter, when Optus Stadium hosts an NRL State of Origin match, English soccer powerhouse Manchester United and a Bledisloe Cup rugby clash between the Wallabies and All Blacks.